Welcome to the 2023 season. We all begin the season with optimism for our players and a (mostly) healthy roster. But to win, you have to make moves that keep you ahead of the game. That’s what this weekly post is all about. Here, I’ll be looking at lightly rostered players who could benefit you this season. Here are some players to look for in Week 3. All roster percentages are courtesy of the NFL.
Quarterbacks
Gardner Minshew, Indianapolis Colts
Roster Percentage: .1
About: Do the Colts want Minshew to be the guy for them? Probably not. And yet, on Sunday, he had to come in after Anthony Richardson left with a concussion. Richardson is a big guy, but he’s also a runner. Minshew looked solid in relief, and given the situation, he’s a player I’m stashing if I can.
Desmond Ridder, Atlanta Falcons
Roster Percentage: .6
About: Ridder is currently 2-0 this season. He won’t remain perfect, but in Week 2, we saw him take a step forward in passing. He also added a rushing touchdown. I like Ridder’s potential as a QB2 option, and as a starting quarterback, he should be rostered in Superflex.
Baker Mayfield, Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Roster Percentage: 5.2
About: Speaking of 2-0 quarterbacks, that would be Mayfield. He’s facing the Eagles in Week 3, so that might not be incredibly appealing. But Mayfield isn’t turning the ball over, and he’s got a great core of weapons, including Mike Evans and Chris Godwin. He’s gone for 490 yards and three touchdowns so far, including a 300-plus yard day in Week 2. Given his division and his weapons, he’s an intriguing streaming QB and bye-week option. He should be rostered.
Running Backs
Zack Moss, Indianapolis Colts
Roster Percentage: 47.5
About: He’s nearly at 50 percent, so he could well be rostered in your league. If not, go get Moss. After returning from a broken arm, he was the man in the backfield with Jonathan Taylor out. He carried 18 times for 88 yards and a touchdown, catching four passes. Taylor is out at least two more games, and his future is far from certain in Indianapolis. I like Moss.
Latavius Murray, Buffalo Bills
Roster Percentage: 1.8
About: Murray got some work and got a touchdown on Sunday. It’s clear James Cook is the lead back. It’s also clear that Murray and Damien Harris, who also had a touchdown, seem to be on similar footing. Murray might not be an every-week play right now, but he’d likely get an increase in touches if either Cook or Harris was hurt. He also seems to be in play as a goal-line back. He should be rostered.
Kyren Williams, Los Angeles Rams
Roster Percentage: 25.1
About: Ahead of the game Sunday, the Rams announced that Cam Akers would be a healthy scratch. The team is now looking at trading Akers. I know, we’ve heard this before. It’s no lock it happens. But with Akers out—and even with him in Week 1—Williams was the main man in the Rams’ backfield. He has 104 yards and three touchdowns, with six receptions this season. It’s not eye-popping, but one of those games came against a stout 49ers front. Williams should be rostered.
Wide Receivers
Josh Reynolds, Detroit Lions
Roster Percentage: 1.6
About: We knew one of the veterans would have a role in the Detroit Lions’ pass offense. I thought it would be Marvin Jones. It’s clearly Reynolds. In two games, he’s caught nine passes for 146 yards and two touchdowns. It’s a good offense, and he has a role that gives him flex appeal.
Nelson Agholor, Baltimore Ravens
Roster Percentage: .1
About: The Baltimore Ravens are re-making their pass offense. We’ve seen rookie Zay Flowers thrive while many roster Rashod Bateman and Odell Beckham, Jr. The other free agent acquired this off-season was Agholor. After not being in the game in Week 1, he got his chance in Week 2. He saw six targets, catching five passes for 63 yards and a touchdown. This Ravens’ pass offense is still a work in progress, but we’ve seen it from Agholor before. He should be rostered.
Tutu Atwell, Los Angeles Rams
Roster Percentage: 17.1
About: The Rams are embracing the youth movement. While we’ve seen Puka Nacua blossom into a full-blown star, a more under-the-radar development is how Atwell has taken off this season. He’s seen 17 targets, catching 13 passes for 196 yards. Certainly, Cooper Kupp will be back, and that will impact Atwell’s target share, but he still has shown he’s capable of having a role. He should be rostered.
Tight Ends
Jonnu Smith, Atlanta Falcons
Roster Percentage: .2
About: Yes, the Falcons have Kyle Pitts. And, yes, Smith out-targeted and out-produced him on Sunday. The Falcons’ passing game is something of a mystery as well, but Smith looked good Sunday. He’s worth a roster spot if you have space.
Durham Smythe, Miami Dolphins
Roster Percentage: .5
About: Smythe is the starting tight end for the Dolphins. While Jaylen Waddle and Tyreek Hill rightly get the headlines, Smythe has made the most of his early opportunities. He’s caught three passes in each of the first two games. He has a role in the offense, which gives him some appeal, especially at a tough position.
Tyler Conklin, New York Jets
Roster Percentage: 4.6
About: One player who might be happy to see Zach Wilson is Conklin. Conklin was TE16 in 2022, carving out a role even in an uneven Jets’ pass offense. Sunday, Wilson’s first start, he saw six targets, catching five for 50 yards. He should be rostered.
Matthew Fox is a die-hard NFL fan and Broncos’ homer. He’s a member of the FSWA. You can find more from him on Twitter @knighthawk7734 or as co-host of the Fantasy Football Roundtable Podcast, a part of the Campus2Canton Network.
